Houses of diverse architectural styles line the leafy avenues of the Heritage Hill Historic District. Dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, these were the homes of the settlers who helped shape the city of Grand Rapids. Make a leisurely stroll down these streets for a window into the city’s past.
The district has an exceptional appearance from the use of so many different architectural styles. Take a self-guided walking tour and pick out the colonial revival, Greek revival and Italianate houses, among others. Brochures with contextual details are available in the Heritage Hill Association office in the heart of the district.
One outstanding site is the Meyer May House, which was designed in the early 1900s by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Tour the house and appreciate its light and airy ambiance. A pastel mural of hollyhocks coupled with skylights and large windows evoke a theme of nature typical of prairie architecture.
Continue on your walk and marvel at the wide range of designs and features on each house. Some of the more flamboyant styles include Queen Anne, chateauesque and shingle. The district contains about 1,300 houses, with the earliest dating from 1843.
In the 1960s, protests from local residents prevented the demolition of many of these historic structures. Participate in the annual Home Tour, when a selection of houses is opened to the public. There is a fee for the tour, which takes place on the third weekend of May.
Heritage Hill Historic District comprises a rectangular area running north to south, a little east of the downtown zone of Grand Rapids. Ride the bus to one of the stops along the streets in this intriguing district, which can be easily covered on foot.
Go to other nearby attractions, such as the Van Andel Arena, Rosa Parks Circle and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.
